caloso

Regular bibs and jersey, plus armwarmers and kneewarmers, if I'm dressing for a long ride. If I'm just riding directly into work, I'll just wear regular dress pants and button down shirt. 50-55 F is perfect riding weather in my opinion.

lost_in_endicot

You have the right idea. I wear shorts until about the mid 30's. It was 47°F this morning, and I wore my usual with a long sleeve jersey. I was pretty cold when I got to the bottom of my hill, but warmed up nicely after that.

no motor?

This is starting to get to be the time of year when I start bringing more layers to account for the temperature changes that might happen during the day. Another thin layer or two can make a big change in how comfortable I am and doesn't take up much space.

wolfchild

For riding in 50-55 degree weather I wear the following:

-Running shoes
-Adidas track pants
-Under Armour sleeveless top
-Adidas fleece hoodie
-cycling hat
-half finger leather gloves
-If it's windy and raining, I will add merino wool base layer and fleece gloves.

ThermionicScott 

Don't feel ashamed if you end up needing to wear a little more than us dudes to stay warm.

RubeRad

This. You can't avoid warming up; so either plan to shed a layer, or be cold for a little bit.

It can get down into the 30s overnight in the winter in San Diego, but this morning it was probably around 50-55. (Two days ago probably low of 70). This morning was my first time this season wearing an athletic pullover (single layer of fabric with a little 'quilting') on top of my usual tech tee. As always, athletic shorts (not padded/lycra/bike shorts) below. In the very coldest weather I'll add a long-sleeve cotton t-shirt as a midlayer, plus gloves (full-finger work gloves, not bike gloves -- or very rarely ski gloves) and a headband to keep ears warm. But then again I've got hairy man-legs and at 250 a significant layer of warming blubber, different for you...

Oh yeah, in the very coldest weather, my feet can get cold/numb on long rides, my solution is my wife's suggestion: foot in sock; then into plastic grocery bag, then into shoe, trim off the excess plastic at the ankle. The thin layer of plastic is pretty effective, lightweight windproofing. (for rain, I just put grocery bags around my whole shoes and tie them off around the ankles -- yes I look like a hobo, but my feet stay dry and then I throw the bags away!)

baron von trail 

50-55, I wear the same clothes I wear in 70 degree-plus weather. I'm cold though for the first couple miles.

I start layering clothes at temps below 50. On comes a light jacket, but I'm still in short down to 45. Leggings come on at T below 45. Layered shirts beneath the jacket when it falls below 40. And, then I go high tech, wearing fancy thermal gear: full gloves, special socks, cycling hoodie, thicker leggings, etc; as temps approach and fall below 30.

TenSpeedV2

It takes a bit of trial and error, but eventually you figure out what you need for each temp and condition. 55 and rain vs 55 and sun, etc. I truly believe that cycling specific clothes really work well in these types of temperatures. I love wearing a jersey and arm warmers with shorts. Perfect combo, and yes, this range of temps, low to mid 50's really is ideal riding weather. Less bugs, less sweating, but you are not out there freezing your rear end off either.

highrpm

Agree on the shorts. You'll heat up quickly when you ride. I like the 10 minute rule - see how you feel temperature-wise in 10 minutes.

I personally need gloves before I need a thicker shirt or shorts.

snow_echo_NY

this.
ok it was 65 going home yesterday and 59 coming in this morning. i should have paid attention a little more to the temps. next time i can at least pack a short sleeve shirt and arm warmers for the ride back at least. instead i was lazy and just wore what i had already planned which was the long sleeve wool baselayer and shorts. i was overdressed but at least it wasn't overkill/too horrible.

alright, checking the weather, the next few days will be like today. it's not 50-55 anymore so i think easily this is short sleeves plus shorts and arm warmers (or at least pack them).

and i agree that using cycling specific clothing seems to shine for these middle temps... i really enjoy the arm warmers for 60-65 weather (they are new to me)

InTheRain

54 and light rain this morning. I threw on rain gear over my regular commuting gear for a 40-55 degree commute. I didn't wear my regular jacket but replaced it with a rain jacket. I was still to warm. If it's above 50, I'll need to go with shorts if I'm wearing rain gear. I'll also need to lose a layer on top and just go with a t-shirt and the rain jacket.

TenSpeedV2

Convincing yourself that it you need to be cold when you start off is the hard part for me. If I am warm when I leave the house, I know I will regret it. Once you conquer that mind game, you will be alright. I love it when I leave the complex, and see people walking in jackets and jeans, and I have on a jersey, shorts and arm warmers, I know I will be alright for the ride in.

RidingMatthew

I agree with @TenSpeedV2 It is hard to convince yourself that you should be cold when you walk out and start. The problem with my commute is that within .8 miles I ride down a hill that I can hit 32mph on and it is pretty cold because I have not warmed up enough yet. I wore same thing as yesterday at 49 and eventually took my vest off mid way through the ride. I was comfortable. Supposed to be around 80F today on the way home

How was the ride @snow_echo_NY ?

snow_echo_NY

did you ride with shorts, a short sleeve jersey, arm warmers and wind vest today? if so, what's the verdict? i have not thought of adding a vest but i suppose i could add it for 50-55 riding weather.

snow_echo_NY

i agree it is hard to convince myself to leave home and be cold.
ok i'm convinced to try shorts, short sleeves + arm warmers + vest for 50 degree riding next time.

the ride today was good as usual, and the dressing for it was OK. i just wore shorts and a long sleeve thin wool baselayer top and it was too much but it wasn't overkill like the other day. still a little warmer than i prefer. but it was 59 this AM, not 50-55. the next few days will be 59 when i start (just checked the forecast) so i'll wait til next week possibly to add a vest.

Phil_gretz

I did. The temperature was ~55 degrees, too. I still perspired beneath the wind vest a little bit, but was comfortable otherwise. Shorts were definitely the right choice, giving a place for some needed heat loss. I added light gloves, too, and my hands were almost too warm. At 50 degrees, this all would have been fine. Phil

noglider 

This morning, I wore a cotton polo shirt and cotton shorts. I think it was about 55ºF. I rode fast, though, so I probably made a lot of heat for myself.

brockd15 

@snow_echo_NY, sounds like our preferences may be pretty similar.

My morning commutes are usually between 50 and 60 degrees, the ride home can be anywhere from the high 60's to 90's. Other than shoes, I don't wear bike-specific clothes for riding to work. In the morning I wear a light weight Smartwool t-shirt, Smartwool arm warmers, windproof vest, shorts, and regular socks. On the warmer mornings I'll push down the arm warmers when I've warmed up, and on the cooler mornings (under about 53) I'll add a thin pair of Icebreaker wool gloves. For my ride home I put the vest and arm warmers in my backpack.

Below that, into the 40's, I'll switch to a long sleeve Smartwool shirt and a jacket instead of vest. I don't have to deal with anything colder than that.

GovernorSilver

I hear ya. My commute starts with a descent down the hill from my house, and the breeze can suck.

OTOH, as soon as I turn onto the cross street, I have a climb, then a sprint to catch a left turn lane so I can access the MUP that crosses a bridge. That bridge crossing ends with yet another climb. I'm usually warmed up by the end of that 2nd climb.

If my route were shorter and had relatively little elevation gain I might wear one more layer.

grolby

Yep, although my commute is long enough I'll wear the riding clothes for that as well, usually. 50 degrees is basically on the edge of where gloves are necessary. I'll go without if I can manage it. I always make sure my knees are covered below 65 degrees or so. Cold knees are no good, even if they don't feel uncomfortable I don't think it's wise.

RidingMatthew

It was 56 this morning and I wore knee warmers, arm warmers, normal jersey (not wool), and a vest. I also wore a cap that covered my ears pretty comfortable all in in all. took the vest and the cap off. the cap was because both of my Halo's were wet because I did not get them out of the washing machine last night.

Tundra_Man 

I got that too. I moved about three years ago. Leaving this house in the morning, I have a mile of descent (about 140 feet worth) before I hit a stretch where I have to start providing my own momentum. During the winter when it's below 10 degrees or there's any wind, that first mile stinks.

At my old house I figured I'd be cold for the first two miles before I warm up. This house I'm cold for at least three.

And I have a lovely climb waiting for me at the end of every day when I'm good and tired.

Last ride 76 

Old School:

For those who use windproof vests but are not thrilled with still having it 15 minutes into your ride, you might try this...Put a double sheet of newspaper between wicking underlayer and jersey, skip the vest. Way easier to get rid of while riding and you don't have remember to bring it home or wash it, ever. Works if the temps drop on your ride too.

Regards,Eric

PatrickGSR94

That seems like a lot for that temperature. Whatever makes you feel good, though.

Above 60 I just use my regular warm weather getup: short-sleeve jersey and bike shorts.

Below 60 I add arm warmers. In the low 50's I might add my super-thin shell, which can be stuffed inside of itself and put in a jersey pocket if needed.

I don't add long pants until it gets into the 40's, which we haven't had any mornings like that just yet.

Last Saturday I was tooling around town and it was gray, windy, and low 50's (very much unseasonably cool, we're back in the 80's this week). I still wore shorts and short-sleeve tech shirt, but added my thin shell and was pretty comfortable.

noglider 

I forgot to mention a couple of things. I wore a thin wool hat under my helmet, and I brought a sweater in my bag in case it got unexpectedly cold. I kept the hat on but didn't take the sweater out.

My complete outfit in this weather:

sneakers (with SPD cleats)
wool socks
cotton briefs
cotton shorts
cotton polo shirt
wool hat
helmet
gel gloves